Introduction.

I always find that a trip up to Baguio City is best when taking in La Union as well. Based along one of the many beach resorts at Bauang you are within easy reach of the Mountain City. A good day trip excursion, (one hour) up the mountain to the amazing and incredible City of Baguio.

Baguio is a refreshing change from the heat and humidity of the Philippines in general. The journey is often quoted in travel guides as taking 4 hours from Manila!!! Forget it, unless they were traveling at warp factor five and hovering above the traffic, it is far more than 4 hours!

From Angeles City we have done this trip several times and rarely do it under 5 hours from there so you can add at least 2 more hours to that! - Such is the poor infrastructure that travel as we often say, and repeat is laborious and tedious to say the least.

This fact should however not dissuade you or distract you from the fact that Baguio like most destinations within the Philippines is well worth that extra effort to see. Indeed once you have seen this City of the Pines on top of a mountain you will almost certainly be glad you did make the effort.

Baguio City has a population in excess of 300,000. The City lays over 5,000ft above sea level. Baguio is built on the summit of the Cordillera mountain chain. It has very low humidity and is famed for its clean and green look amongst forests of Pine trees. The area is renown for it agricultural produce, especially Strawberries. It also rarely sees temperatures rise above 27c

It has a thriving commercial center with its shops and markets and is famed for its dazzling array of native arts, crafts and of course fresh fruit and vegetables. It has many parks and gardens and is known as the City of Pines - although there are just as many colorful flowers as well.

Baguio City is about an hours drive from Bauang and a 47km trip up the mountain. It is 246km from Manila and 163km from Angeles City. From Baguio you can travel onwards to Banaue and visit the famous rice terraces, a further 102km away.

How to get there

Travel Advice:  As this journey can take much longer than needed during the day. Maybe if you can plan private transportation and travel at night you can not only do it quicker but actually gain valuable daylight time for more recreational activities once you get there.

Victory Liner and Philippine Rabbit run a service through from Manila on a regular basis. Check out the bus stations at Cubao and Pasay. From there you should also be able to pick up the service from San Fernando (Pampanga) and Angeles City/Dau. These buses are very inexpensive, but do get very crowded and stop frequently.

From Manila and Angeles you could alternatively try Swagman's Fly the Bus Service to La Union and Baguio on Mon - Weds & Fridays. With return service the following days. Cost and timetable below :

Fly the Bus timetable.

Private transportation can be provided and Beeline Travel can do the service from Manila or Angeles... See their web-site for details and bookings. They can provide a car or van service. The advantage of such a service is that you can select not only the best time to travel but, you can stop off as and when you want.

You can also fly into Baguio by private charter or a scheduled service. This though is not always recommended the flights can often be cancelled or re-directed to San Fernando (La Union) as the weather can close in quickly and make landing unsafe. Beeline Travel has details of Chartered flights.

Asian Spirit flights to San Fernando La Union

Asian Spirit flights to Baguio City (flights subject to cancellation or diversion in bad weather)

Also chartered flights available through Beeline with Jimmy Boyd in three seater plane. Leaving from Manila or Angeles (Clark) Flights are restricted to morning departures in both directions and weather permitting.

If you decide to stay at one of the beach resorts along the National Highway at Bauang, then most have a private car or van service that you can use. The cost will vary slightly... At Southern Palms they wanted P1500 for a car and P2200 for a van, both for a day trip and return. 

Alternatives would be a flag down and hire a Jeepney that could take you up to the City limits (not allowed beyond that so change Jeepneys there. Or catch one of the frequent bus services that will stop all along the highway and take you to Baguio for just P40. The return bus goes to San Fernando (La Union)

Where to Stay

Hotel Supreme Highly Recommended 

Rooms provide standard amenities and are equipped with private bathroom, hot and cold shower, color television with cable programming , radio, telephone (bath extensions are available in our executive suites only). Family rooms for 5, triple bed, twin bed and double bed. 70 well appointed guest rooms; 4 of which are apartelles with complete kitchen and cooking facilities and are located by the poolside. 15 executive suites offering spacious-and comfortable accommodations with warm interiors and scenic view of the mountain sides of Baguio.

Villa Court Hotel

A hotel where you can base your self in Baguio. With apartments as well as rooms. The apartments come with cooking facilities. Ideal for staying in Baguio and exploring the area thoroughly.

 Concorde Hotel

The rooms and suites at Concorde Hotel were designed with ingenuity and superb quality. Each mirrors a distinctive style harmonized stupendously by excellent amenities for maximum comfort. 

A wide range of room options include Standard, Superior, Classic, Deluxe and Suite Royale. The Deluxe Suite & Suite Royale, the hotel's presidential suites were constant choices of business travelers, foreign expatriates and honeymooners.

El Cielito Inn hotel

The cool breeze with scents of pine cones and strawberries, enchanting views and exciting finds...just some of the magical charms that is Baguio.

El Cielito sits on one of Baguio's scenic hilltops, with breathtaking views that are just a look away from your bedroom window. Walk or jog, or even on horseback, you'll get to see Baguio's most famous vacation spots-Session Road, Club John Hay, Burnham Park, and the Baguio Cathedral are all just a stone's throw away.  

Total Number of Rooms: 32 rooms

Room Features: colored Cable TV, IDD & NDD Telephone, Private Bath, Hot & cold Running Water

Dining Facilities:  International cuisine, coffee shop, 70 pax capacity.

  Baguio City Hotel information

All the hotel information on these hotels featured and more is available on the Beeline Travel web-site. You will find full reviews of these hotels with prices and discounts or promo offers. Details on flights and transportation and many other special packages and promotions on www.beelinetravel.com

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Places of interest and things to see and do.

Well to begin with the trip up the mountain is an experience in itself with some absolutely breath taking views and scenery. If traveling up in private transport, you will again have the benefits to stop off and take some excellent photographs.

Sessions Road.

The City center is built around Sessions Road with numerous restaurants and bistros as well as shops and hotels running up and down both sides.

Baguio City Market

One of the biggest and best markets I have seen in the Philippines. A wide variety of goods and souvenirs are available from tee-shirts to trinkets to wood carvings and traditional Philippine goods. You can spend an hour or two easily here and pick up all those gifts you want to take back home. And what is more it is so cheap.... Tee Shirts (good quality) start at around P100 (US$2) and you can even haggle that price if buying more than one :)

Also within the market you will find all the fresh fruit and vegetables you could possibly want (good to stock up if on a self catering trip at one of the resorts) there is also a fresh meat and fish section.

Mines View Park

A personal favourite and very popular tourist attraction. Actually there is not a lot there itself other than another breathtaking view from the highest point, over looking Baguio's mineral bowl, this was once where they quarried gold and silver. Oh! and there is also a wishing well. However, to make it more of an attraction there is an promenade of stalls where again there is an abundance of souvenirs and goods to be bought and bartered for. Well worth an hour or so again for photographs in particular.

Baguio Botanical Gardens

The Botanical Gardens are worth taking a relaxing and pleasant stroll around. The wide range of flowers and plants add color and beauty to again make this a nice place to visit and maybe enjoy a picnic. There are also some native huts and cultural presentations put on from time to time.

Baguio Cathedral.

Situated in the heart of the City on top of a hill with a great view of the whole City. This is one of the most popular landmarks in Baguio.

Burnham Park.

This park was named after the planner of the park. Daniel Burnham. It features beautiful and well kept gardens as well as restaurant and boating lagoon.

Camp John Hay.

Within Camp John Hay you will find Club John Hay.  A former US recreational base. Here you will find restaurants, swimming pool, tennis courts and a world class Golf course.

Lourdes Grotto.

As you leave Baguio and head back to Bauang on the Naguilian Road you will reach Lourdes Grotto. (turn left at Travelers Inn down Dominican Hill Road) here you have 252 steps to ascend to offer devotion or prayers - alternatively just to see an image of the Lady of the Lourdes and enjoy a panoramic view of the City.

Wright Park and The Mansion House

Wright Park is virtually opposite the Mansion House (The residence of the Philippines President.) It is here that you can hire horses and go horse riding around the park. As well as enjoy the picnic area.

Philippine Military Academy.

Proud of it's armed forces a quick trip to the Academy is a good photograph opportunity especially if they have a parade on.

Baguio Country Club /Golf Course

The second course in Baguio. Both are world class 18 hole course and have tournaments played there frequently.

Lions Head.

On the Kennon Road approach to Baguio from Manila. A famous landmark and again an ideal stopping off point to enjoy the scenery.

Restaurants.

Baguio like all the major Cities in the Philippines is awash with all the fast food and chain restaurants you can think of. MacDonald's, KFC, Pizza Hut, Starbucks Coffee Shop, Greenlands Pizza, Jolly Bee, Shakeys and heaps more as well as these there are some specialized restaurants. 

Sessions Road again is the main area and a leisurely stroll along there will no doubt find a restaurant to your liking and tastes.

The better class of restaurants.

The Cafe by the Gardens - Wright Park comes highly recommended offering delicious gourmet cuisine. The Cafe by the Ruins serves up organic fare including fresh juices. 

Don Henrico's is famous for it's pizza. Mario's is a little more expensive but another highly recommended restaurant. Pinoy hotpot is well known and a favored place especial catering to local Filipino dishes. Try it. You can't miss this restaurant it is a landmark in the City.

Nightlife

Baguio City like many Philippine provincial towns and cities is devoid of any western styled go-go bars. So if you want the easy option then Angeles and places like Manila, and Subic are the places for you to stick to. What Baguio has is clean green environment, cooler less humid weather, and thousands of students! Baguio City has a very high student population waiting for you. It also has KTV Bars and Karaoke, Bar restaurants and discos and Massage parlors.

Through out Baguio City you will find a thriving nightlife scene based heavily on the  KTV Disco's that have girls dancing in various outfits and usually removing most of the outfits over time. Known as KTV Discos with 'models' these are what I call 'showgirl' bars. The girls are available but do not always to go out. Check with the mamasam first. There are some VIP rooms in some of the places, where you can have some 'private' fun. Some of the KTV 'showgirl' bars will also have a small cover charge on entry.(P50-P200)

Worth also thinking about casa's in the area. I never tried to discover any in my trips there as yet, but I'm sure there will be some - ask a friendly taxi driver or hotel porter.

Prices

Prices are on the high side in Baguio and are more in line with Manila prices. Local Drinks can be as low as P35-P50 but ladies drinks P200-P250. They also use the two tiered ladies drink price, in some bars so be aware that what looks cheap enough P125-150 for a ladies drink is actually what they class as a 'single' drink measure. If you do not specify they will give you the 'double' at double the charge. TG/EWR's are on the high side as well P2000-2500 you can get Short time in some places for P1500. The girl will want tipping as well as the bar gets all of it. - High? yes but most of these girls in most of these bars are absolute 'stunners' like you will not see in Angeles. - Again, a lot are students earning extra money. Worth talking too them and establishing their position. - Some will exchange phone numbers and be prepared to meet you at your hotel after work or the following day for far less than the TG or EWR.

A tip - it is worth noting that in some of the higher class establishments they may ask for anything from P3000-P5000 for EWR/TG's... This is the price I have heard they charge rich Japanese tourists... Negotiate.

 It has been a while since I stayed over in Baguio City but some of the places that were around Magasaysay Road, Sessions Road (that's the main through way in the center of the City) and Abanao St  although you will find many others places dotted around - remember the advice about asking taxi drivers and hotel porters - they will know where you should try out :)

Massage Parlors are also a option and there are quite a few around. Then there are the bar/bistros with live bands and plenty of student types in attendance. The Karaoke bars where girls like in the KTV Discos are available.

Disc Capsule, Peek'A'Boo, Strawberry Fields, Chaparral,  Star City,  Parking Lot,  Golden Massage, New A massage parlor, Wow Wow KTV showgirl Bar, Lion's Den and Rumours are some of the names to look out for if they are all still open and operating.... If not there will be others for sure.

Remember as well that with all those Students around that hanging out in the ordinary bars/bistros and discos with live bands and music can be very rewarding. You can meeting dozens of 'nice girls' here in anyone night.